The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves will kick of their 2015-16 NBA season campaign on Wednesday night at Staples Center.
Timberwolves fans will get a first look at their young squad, which will be led by 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, 2015 Slam Dunk champion Zach LaVine and 2015 NBA Draft first overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns, who was drafted ahead of Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell.
On the other hand, Lakers fans will also get a glimpse of Russell, the second overall pick last summer. Aside from Russell, sophomores Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle are also expected to get a fair share of the spotlight in their season opener against the Timberwolves.
Veteran superstar Kobe Bryant, who will be playing in his 20th season in the league, is also expected to start for the Lakers. The 17-time All-Star missed their final three preseason games due to a lower leg contusion and also missed two weeks of practices.
Heading into his 20th season in the NBA, Bryant said that his recent injuries will not affect his mindset in the upcoming season, which could also be the last of his illustrious basketball career.
"I look at it as injuries being a part of the game," Bryant told reporters via ESPN. "It's kind of having a different filter on it because of the injuries that I've had the past three years, but the reality is injuries happen to everybody. You have to continue to look at it from a macro level, a macro perspective."
Fans can catch the Lakers-Timberwolves game on ESPN, FSW2 and CSAC starting 10:30 p.m. ET. Online live streaming will also be available via WatchESPN, while live scores and match highlights will be available on this link. Below is the complete list of Wednesday night's matches.
- Washington Wizards vs. Orlando Magic, 7 p.m. ET
- Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Utah Jazz vs Detroit Pistons, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets, 8 p.m. ET
- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 8 p.m. ET
- New York Knicks vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 8 p.m. ET
- San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m. ET
- Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns, 10 p.m. ET
- New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. ET
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m. ET
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 10:30 p.m. ET
